Do you remember playing with a jack in the box? If not, can you remember watching a young child play with one? The younger the child was... the greater the surprise when Jack finally pops out. The older you get the more you have the thing figured out. If I just keep cranking this handle long enough... the lid will pop open and Jack will surprise me with his appearance.
I remember having a jack in the box that was broken. If you cranked the handle it still played the music... but it did not matter how long you cranked the handle the door was not going to open... Jack was not popping out... the music was not that good. I figured out that you could take something and pry the lid open... Jack would pop out... but it was not the same! You can probably guess how long I continued to play with this toy... NO, I do not still play with it! It was QUICKLY discarded. I mean the problem was the Jack in the box... it was not me. I could handle my part just fine, thank you very much. But no matter how I did my part... he just would not do his part.
This morning I was reading 1 Samuel 4. The Israelites are at war with the Philistines. On this day the Philistines route the Israelites - 4,000 of them died. When the soldiers get back to camp an interesting conversation takes place. They ask "why did the Lord bring defeat on us today?" I can imagine the suggestions that were made. The amazing thing to me is the conclusion they come up with. This will fix our problems. Since God did not take care of us today... this is what we will do SO THAT GOD WILL DO WHAT WE WANT TOMORROW... let's take the ark of the covenant... then God will fight for us.
Does that sound like Jack, I mean God in a box to you? Let's carry this box (yes, it was a very special box, but come one) out to war tomorrow. If we take our God in a box... He will have to fight for us... He will have to give us victory.
The next day... when the ark comes into the camp the Israelites start the celebration... the Philistines wonder what is going on. When they find out here is what they say, "a god has come into the came, we're in trouble! Nothing like this has happened before. Woe to us!" Are they right? Is that how it works... bring out your box... turn the handle... out pops your god... and victory is assured?
Not a chance. Here is the next paragraph. "So the Philistines fought, and the Israelites were defeated and every man fled to his tent. The slaughter was very great..." WHAT? WHY DIDN'T IT WORK? I mean they brought out their god. They were sure it would work. The enemy was sure it would work. Why did this "great" plan fall apart?
God does not fit in a box. He cannot be controlled... manipulated... ordered... the problem is they had a little g god... just like the Philistines. Oh sure, they called on the one true God... but they treated God like a little g god... just like an idol... As some of my students have said, God don't play that game.
Today... how do you view God?
Today... how do you approach God?
Today... is it time to hit your knees one more time... to acknowledge who He is... what He has done... to submit to His will... to seek His paths? If your god fits in a box... you have no God.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Rejoice... you have a hope that lives!
This is the last in a series of blogs about dealing with the challenges of life (at least it is the last one I have planned right now!).
Peter wrote to a church that was facing times that would at least eclipse the difficulties I face... I suspect that is true for all of us. Here is a simple list (of course with a little discussion!) of the things that make joy possible when we are in the fire of suffering. Be sure to read 1 Peter 1:3-9!
We can have joy because...
1) The Father has great mercy. I know this will come as a shock to many of you... but there were occasions when I was growing up that I would be disciplined even though I did not deserve it. HOLD ON! What I mean by that is... I was being punished for something I did not do. On more than one occasion my protests regarding such cruel treatment found this response. "OK, you may not have done that, but you have gotten away with plenty." How could I respond? If this teenager was into full disclosure... I may have said, "you have no idea!" My dad was simply using what he knew I had done, and not been punished for, as a cover for this time. He did not know all that I needed to be punished for. God does. His mercy is when He does not give me what I deserve. I agree with Peter - that's GREAT mercy!
2) He has given us new birth. When I deserved the very worst, God not only decided to give mercy, He also gave grace. New birth far surpasses a "do-over." And this is not just a new birth, it is a new birth into a hope that lives. There is a difference between hope that empowers living... that would be good, and a hope that lives. We have been given hope that can never die. It can never die because the One who gave it is risen from the dead! Jesus will never die. The hope Jesus gives will never die!
3) We have been given an inheritance that is untouchable. It never wears out. It never loses any of it greatness, and we should never lose our gratefulness!
4) By our faith we are shielded... when we keep on trusting... keep on walking by faith... God keeps on protecting us!
Today... rejoice. The storms are real... but they do not compare to the power... the blessing... the hope we have as those who have received the best God has to give!
Peter wrote to a church that was facing times that would at least eclipse the difficulties I face... I suspect that is true for all of us. Here is a simple list (of course with a little discussion!) of the things that make joy possible when we are in the fire of suffering. Be sure to read 1 Peter 1:3-9!
We can have joy because...
1) The Father has great mercy. I know this will come as a shock to many of you... but there were occasions when I was growing up that I would be disciplined even though I did not deserve it. HOLD ON! What I mean by that is... I was being punished for something I did not do. On more than one occasion my protests regarding such cruel treatment found this response. "OK, you may not have done that, but you have gotten away with plenty." How could I respond? If this teenager was into full disclosure... I may have said, "you have no idea!" My dad was simply using what he knew I had done, and not been punished for, as a cover for this time. He did not know all that I needed to be punished for. God does. His mercy is when He does not give me what I deserve. I agree with Peter - that's GREAT mercy!
2) He has given us new birth. When I deserved the very worst, God not only decided to give mercy, He also gave grace. New birth far surpasses a "do-over." And this is not just a new birth, it is a new birth into a hope that lives. There is a difference between hope that empowers living... that would be good, and a hope that lives. We have been given hope that can never die. It can never die because the One who gave it is risen from the dead! Jesus will never die. The hope Jesus gives will never die!
3) We have been given an inheritance that is untouchable. It never wears out. It never loses any of it greatness, and we should never lose our gratefulness!
4) By our faith we are shielded... when we keep on trusting... keep on walking by faith... God keeps on protecting us!
Today... rejoice. The storms are real... but they do not compare to the power... the blessing... the hope we have as those who have received the best God has to give!
Friday, August 07, 2009
choosing not to get all worked up...
today is part 4 in dealing with the clouds and storms that come our way... I hope you have found something helpful... I KNOW it has been for me!
The storms are real... sometimes the clouds are thick... it can be really difficult to keep on going... to see anything but the problems. Is there anything we can do? YES! Here is a different route... and it does make a difference.
"Rejoice in the Lord, I will say it again, Rejoice! Be gentle with everyone. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Read that verse again. Sometimes the difficulties in life seem to come from other folks. Have you ever noticed some folks are hard to put up with? How often do we get worked up over something someone said or did... did not say or do? Do you ever feel like just writing someone off... being done... giving them a piece of your mind... setting them straight? Be careful... this first step is to be gentle. When we have trouble with folks we need to remember we have needed and wanted someone to be gentle with us... in the same way we need to be gentle.
The best reason to be gentle is the Lord is near... how often has He chosen to be gentle with us? Only when we forget how much we have been forgiven of will we be in the spot of not being gentle with others. When we remember how much we have been forgiven of we are able to forgive more easily.
When we remember that the Lord is near it helps us handle all of the problems that come our way. We can choose to get worked up over them... or we can choose to pray. When you feel yourself becoming anxious about something... PRAY! Start praying to the Lord who is near... and keep on praying. All of the sudden you will find what this verse promises... the peace of God will come... you will not understand it, but it will be there... your heart and mind will find peace.
Today... have some joy
Today... be gentle
Today... remember He is right there with you
Today... talk to the Father about what you are worrying about
Today... enjoy the peace
The storms are real... sometimes the clouds are thick... it can be really difficult to keep on going... to see anything but the problems. Is there anything we can do? YES! Here is a different route... and it does make a difference.
"Rejoice in the Lord, I will say it again, Rejoice! Be gentle with everyone. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Read that verse again. Sometimes the difficulties in life seem to come from other folks. Have you ever noticed some folks are hard to put up with? How often do we get worked up over something someone said or did... did not say or do? Do you ever feel like just writing someone off... being done... giving them a piece of your mind... setting them straight? Be careful... this first step is to be gentle. When we have trouble with folks we need to remember we have needed and wanted someone to be gentle with us... in the same way we need to be gentle.
The best reason to be gentle is the Lord is near... how often has He chosen to be gentle with us? Only when we forget how much we have been forgiven of will we be in the spot of not being gentle with others. When we remember how much we have been forgiven of we are able to forgive more easily.
When we remember that the Lord is near it helps us handle all of the problems that come our way. We can choose to get worked up over them... or we can choose to pray. When you feel yourself becoming anxious about something... PRAY! Start praying to the Lord who is near... and keep on praying. All of the sudden you will find what this verse promises... the peace of God will come... you will not understand it, but it will be there... your heart and mind will find peace.
Today... have some joy
Today... be gentle
Today... remember He is right there with you
Today... talk to the Father about what you are worrying about
Today... enjoy the peace
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
well... what do you know?
Have you ever thought you knew something for sure... but still had that "lingering doubt" about whether it really was exactly the way you thought it was? Maybe an illustration will help. During our most recent roller coaster ride on the stock market... I was not sure what to do. There were some advisers that I really trust... who kept saying in the market's history it has ALWAYS gone up in a 10 year period... therefore, it will again this time... just sit tight... hold on... it will be ok. I believed their history lessons... I knew what they were saying was true... BUT!!!!!!!!!!
Today is part 3 in dealing with the storms of life... James said, "Think about all of the hard times that come in your life differently. I know it is hard to do but you KNOW that when your faith is tested it produces perserverance. God has you on a course here, perseverance must complete the course, and you will then be mature and complete, nothing will be missing." (James 1:2-4)
Here is one of those REAL challenges regarding what we know! James teaches us that we can think differently about all of the hard things... and he is careful to say they come in many different forms and in many different levels of intensity. Think for a moment what your first reaction to hard times is. Do you ever wish... especially after the storm has blown over... that you had responded differently? James says we can... and it all depends on what we know!
Are you interested in what we know that can change the way we respond to hard times? Me too! It is right there in the passage... we know that God is not only able to use the hard times... we can know that He is using the hard times to help us grow.
Have you ever faced something that in the moment seemed too big.. too hard to handle? Of course you have... we all have. Now, as you look back on it, you see that you were able to handle more than you thought... and if you look closely enough, you will be able to see that in some way... either big or small, God has matured you through that difficult experience!
This is a test of faith... the testing develops endurance... and if we will keep on trusting... keep on walking with the Lord... He will work in our lives to make us mature... complete... so that there will be nothing lacking. Think about that. I would love to be there, wouldn't you? It is easy for me to see where I fall short... I long for the day when I am finally grown up in Christ. Until that day we can take assurance and find comfort in this truth... God is at work in us... using even the most difficult of times to help us get there.
Today... hang on.
Today... step back from the difficulty and think a little differently about it.
Today... remember what you KNOW... because of the one you KNOW!
Today is part 3 in dealing with the storms of life... James said, "Think about all of the hard times that come in your life differently. I know it is hard to do but you KNOW that when your faith is tested it produces perserverance. God has you on a course here, perseverance must complete the course, and you will then be mature and complete, nothing will be missing." (James 1:2-4)
Here is one of those REAL challenges regarding what we know! James teaches us that we can think differently about all of the hard things... and he is careful to say they come in many different forms and in many different levels of intensity. Think for a moment what your first reaction to hard times is. Do you ever wish... especially after the storm has blown over... that you had responded differently? James says we can... and it all depends on what we know!
Are you interested in what we know that can change the way we respond to hard times? Me too! It is right there in the passage... we know that God is not only able to use the hard times... we can know that He is using the hard times to help us grow.
Have you ever faced something that in the moment seemed too big.. too hard to handle? Of course you have... we all have. Now, as you look back on it, you see that you were able to handle more than you thought... and if you look closely enough, you will be able to see that in some way... either big or small, God has matured you through that difficult experience!
This is a test of faith... the testing develops endurance... and if we will keep on trusting... keep on walking with the Lord... He will work in our lives to make us mature... complete... so that there will be nothing lacking. Think about that. I would love to be there, wouldn't you? It is easy for me to see where I fall short... I long for the day when I am finally grown up in Christ. Until that day we can take assurance and find comfort in this truth... God is at work in us... using even the most difficult of times to help us get there.
Today... hang on.
Today... step back from the difficulty and think a little differently about it.
Today... remember what you KNOW... because of the one you KNOW!
Monday, August 03, 2009
what's on the other side of the clouds...
Last week we started thinking about the clouds and storms that come in our lives... today is the first part of how we deal with the tough stuff that comes our way.
"Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, we need to get rid of everything that ways us down, especially sin, because sin entangles us so easily. Then we can run the race with endurance, keeping our eyes focussed on Jesus. Jesus is the author of faith and He is the perfector of faith. Because of the joy set before Him, He endured the cross, despising the shame that a cross means, and He has set down at the right hand of the Father. Consider Him..." Hebrews 12:1-3
This is one of my favorite passages. Tucked away towards the end of it is a powerful lesson... especially when you are in the midst of a storm! Notice this phrase, "because of the joy set before Him..." You don't have to think about it very long to be absolutely convinced that Jesus did not want to go to the cross... His prayer in the garden is that if there is any other way, to go that way. He prays so fervently that His sweat became like drops of blood. He prayed this prayer three times.
So how could He face it? What was the joy set before Him? Jesus knew what He was doing, why He was doing it and what the result would be. Jesus did not just see the cross... He looked at it... and then what was on the other side...
the Father was pleased...
sin was paid for...
Satan was defeated...
redemption became possible...
we became children of God...
we became His brothers and sisters...
I don't know what you are facing right now... what form the storm and clouds are taking in your life. I do know this... sometimes they seem too big... too dark... too hard... too much.
Today... remember on the other side of the clouds the SON is still shining!
Today... remember that Jesus has been down this road too... He knows what you are going through.
Today... remember you are not walking alone... Jesus walks with you.
Today... don't allow your life to be fixed on the problem... fix your eyes on Jesus!
"Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, we need to get rid of everything that ways us down, especially sin, because sin entangles us so easily. Then we can run the race with endurance, keeping our eyes focussed on Jesus. Jesus is the author of faith and He is the perfector of faith. Because of the joy set before Him, He endured the cross, despising the shame that a cross means, and He has set down at the right hand of the Father. Consider Him..." Hebrews 12:1-3
This is one of my favorite passages. Tucked away towards the end of it is a powerful lesson... especially when you are in the midst of a storm! Notice this phrase, "because of the joy set before Him..." You don't have to think about it very long to be absolutely convinced that Jesus did not want to go to the cross... His prayer in the garden is that if there is any other way, to go that way. He prays so fervently that His sweat became like drops of blood. He prayed this prayer three times.
So how could He face it? What was the joy set before Him? Jesus knew what He was doing, why He was doing it and what the result would be. Jesus did not just see the cross... He looked at it... and then what was on the other side...
the Father was pleased...
sin was paid for...
Satan was defeated...
redemption became possible...
we became children of God...
we became His brothers and sisters...
I don't know what you are facing right now... what form the storm and clouds are taking in your life. I do know this... sometimes they seem too big... too dark... too hard... too much.
Today... remember on the other side of the clouds the SON is still shining!
Today... remember that Jesus has been down this road too... He knows what you are going through.
Today... remember you are not walking alone... Jesus walks with you.
Today... don't allow your life to be fixed on the problem... fix your eyes on Jesus!
Friday, July 31, 2009
clouds...
It has been really strange around here the last week. It seems like every evening the clouds start building and we get a little shower. I enjoy the cloudy evenings and sure appreciate the rain. At the same time... I really like the days - they have been cooler, the sun has been shining... that's important to me.
I like sunny days. I know lots of folks live in places where it is cloudy most of the time... that is not for me. In fact I don't particularly like days when it cloudy all day... I want the sun shining. Please read that last sentence again.
I know. I know the sun is shining on cloudy days too. I know it is still there. Here is the problem... if the clouds are thick enough I cannot see the sun! If you stop and reflect on that last sentence you will find a great analogy for life!
We all have cloudy days... sometimes weeks, months, years and longer. When it is cloudy... when it is stormy... especially the thicker the clouds and the stronger the storm... it is hard to see anything but the storm. When we are there we get caught up in it... the problems we face seem to be all we can think about.
You know how the storms come...
you wake up in the middle of the night to a ringing phone...
you go to the doctor and receive the results from the test...
papers are served...
relationship are severed...
the car breaks down...
the air conditioner goes out...
the money is gone, and the month just keeps going and going and going...
You can add your own to the list... the point is clouds and storms are part of living... but they are not life. If we let them become life... they keep us from really living. So what do we do with them? I am glad you asked! I have thought about this A LOT this week. I have listened to the One who knows us best... made us... protects us... rescues us... and is working - even in the storm. He has some things He wants us to know... and to do... to do more than just make it through the storm.
In the next several days I will write about some that have been the most helpful for me. Check back!
Today... know this... the SON is still shining... even when the clouds are thick and the wind is blowing... and the rain is beating... and the lightening is flashing... and the thunder rolls... and the waves crash... and it seems to be all that you can see.
Jesus is still there... He sees... He knows... He cares... He is at work in you... and for you! so take a breathe... close your eyes... remember Him in whom you believe... and HANG ON!
I like sunny days. I know lots of folks live in places where it is cloudy most of the time... that is not for me. In fact I don't particularly like days when it cloudy all day... I want the sun shining. Please read that last sentence again.
I know. I know the sun is shining on cloudy days too. I know it is still there. Here is the problem... if the clouds are thick enough I cannot see the sun! If you stop and reflect on that last sentence you will find a great analogy for life!
We all have cloudy days... sometimes weeks, months, years and longer. When it is cloudy... when it is stormy... especially the thicker the clouds and the stronger the storm... it is hard to see anything but the storm. When we are there we get caught up in it... the problems we face seem to be all we can think about.
You know how the storms come...
you wake up in the middle of the night to a ringing phone...
you go to the doctor and receive the results from the test...
papers are served...
relationship are severed...
the car breaks down...
the air conditioner goes out...
the money is gone, and the month just keeps going and going and going...
You can add your own to the list... the point is clouds and storms are part of living... but they are not life. If we let them become life... they keep us from really living. So what do we do with them? I am glad you asked! I have thought about this A LOT this week. I have listened to the One who knows us best... made us... protects us... rescues us... and is working - even in the storm. He has some things He wants us to know... and to do... to do more than just make it through the storm.
In the next several days I will write about some that have been the most helpful for me. Check back!
Today... know this... the SON is still shining... even when the clouds are thick and the wind is blowing... and the rain is beating... and the lightening is flashing... and the thunder rolls... and the waves crash... and it seems to be all that you can see.
Jesus is still there... He sees... He knows... He cares... He is at work in you... and for you! so take a breathe... close your eyes... remember Him in whom you believe... and HANG ON!
Monday, July 20, 2009
"encouragement" from the boat...
No. I am not on a cruise... not even water skiing and certainly not fishing. These are thoughts about encouragement that comes from those on a boat.
I've been brewing on a thought from yesterday.... I thought it might be helpful to you too.
Remember when Jesus fed the 5,000? He sent the apostles away on the boat, then He sent the crowds away... then He went up on the mountain to get away... to pray.
During the night a storm blew in. The disciples find themselves in the middle of the lake... fighting the winds and the waves... rowing with all they've got... and getting no where. Early in the morning... while it was still dark... Jesus saw them (we'll save the "Jesus sees in the dark" thoughts for another time)... came down off the mountain and was walking towards them.
I love to imagine the scene from the boat. I don't know how... but they saw Jesus walking on the water. Think about it... middle of the lake... bad storm fighting you... and then all of the sudden someone is standing out there... I'd be scared too, how about you?
They cry out... it's a ghost... and the ghost responds. Did you hear that? The voice seems familiar... I think it was Jesus. Maybe those thoughts, or something like them, flashed through Peter's mind a split second before he opened his mouth. "Lord, if that's You, tell me to come to You on the water." Do you ever speak before you think? Have you ever regretted it? If I was Peter I would be taking it all back... not really, I was just kidding, I'll stay right here...
Jesus simply said, "come."
Next thing you know, Peter is heading for the side of the boat. Can you imagine anyone, especially his brother, asking him, "just where do you think you are going? What do you think you are doing? Are you crazy? Don't you get out of this boat. If you don't get back in here I am gonna tell mom."
You remember the story... Peter crawls over the side and starts walking towards Jesus... walking on water... I WOULD LOVE TO HAD SEEN THAT! I know Peter sank in a minute... but stay here for a little bit. He was walking on water! He was walking towards Jesus. I wonder what folks in the boat were saying?
Do you think anyone was amazed? Do you think anyone was excited? Do you think anyone started pointing out all of the reasons why you can't do what Peter was doing... or even warned him to look out for a wave that was about to crash into him?
Then it happened. He noticed the winds and the waves... and he became exactly what his name means. Peter means rock, and he sunk like one.
Have you ever stepped out of the boat... taken a step of faith... and had someone from the safety of the boat tell you all the reasons it could not work, and why you should just give up? It is easy to see all of the problems when you don't have your eyes fixed on Jesus and when you are not walking by faith. Have you even been guilty of staying in the boat and giving all of that "encouragement?"
Today... crawl out of the boat... ignore the nay-sayers and walk towards Jesus.
Today... if you are in the boat... SSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Don't shout down the folks who are walking by faith. Be a real encourager, not a "watch out for the winds and waves" person.
I've been brewing on a thought from yesterday.... I thought it might be helpful to you too.
Remember when Jesus fed the 5,000? He sent the apostles away on the boat, then He sent the crowds away... then He went up on the mountain to get away... to pray.
During the night a storm blew in. The disciples find themselves in the middle of the lake... fighting the winds and the waves... rowing with all they've got... and getting no where. Early in the morning... while it was still dark... Jesus saw them (we'll save the "Jesus sees in the dark" thoughts for another time)... came down off the mountain and was walking towards them.
I love to imagine the scene from the boat. I don't know how... but they saw Jesus walking on the water. Think about it... middle of the lake... bad storm fighting you... and then all of the sudden someone is standing out there... I'd be scared too, how about you?
They cry out... it's a ghost... and the ghost responds. Did you hear that? The voice seems familiar... I think it was Jesus. Maybe those thoughts, or something like them, flashed through Peter's mind a split second before he opened his mouth. "Lord, if that's You, tell me to come to You on the water." Do you ever speak before you think? Have you ever regretted it? If I was Peter I would be taking it all back... not really, I was just kidding, I'll stay right here...
Jesus simply said, "come."
Next thing you know, Peter is heading for the side of the boat. Can you imagine anyone, especially his brother, asking him, "just where do you think you are going? What do you think you are doing? Are you crazy? Don't you get out of this boat. If you don't get back in here I am gonna tell mom."
You remember the story... Peter crawls over the side and starts walking towards Jesus... walking on water... I WOULD LOVE TO HAD SEEN THAT! I know Peter sank in a minute... but stay here for a little bit. He was walking on water! He was walking towards Jesus. I wonder what folks in the boat were saying?
Do you think anyone was amazed? Do you think anyone was excited? Do you think anyone started pointing out all of the reasons why you can't do what Peter was doing... or even warned him to look out for a wave that was about to crash into him?
Then it happened. He noticed the winds and the waves... and he became exactly what his name means. Peter means rock, and he sunk like one.
Have you ever stepped out of the boat... taken a step of faith... and had someone from the safety of the boat tell you all the reasons it could not work, and why you should just give up? It is easy to see all of the problems when you don't have your eyes fixed on Jesus and when you are not walking by faith. Have you even been guilty of staying in the boat and giving all of that "encouragement?"
Today... crawl out of the boat... ignore the nay-sayers and walk towards Jesus.
Today... if you are in the boat... SSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Don't shout down the folks who are walking by faith. Be a real encourager, not a "watch out for the winds and waves" person.
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